SQUASH - Chennai Open Semifinals Saurav Ghoshal Exits

A high quality match at the PSA Chennai Open semi final -

Jonathan Kemp from England

It was a rarity to watch such a worthy and enjoyable match between two technically sound players but Kemp (ranked 21) had the extra bit setting up a title clash against top seed Ong Beng Hee ( ranked 19) of Malaysia in the final tomorrow. Ong survived an almost two hour marathon against stroke maker Mohd.Ali Anwar Reda of Egypt.

The Womens final will be between World Number One Nicol David (Mas-top seed) and Jenny Duncalf (Eng – second seed). As was seen in the earlier matches, David was business like in her 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 win over seventh seeded Aussie, Kasey Brown, while Duncalf had an easy time beating Camillee Serme (Fra—6th seed) 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (30 mins).

In a defensive oriented Men’s first semi final Ong, a physically fitter player and known for playing ‘long’ stood to his ground in returning the ball but the Egyptian had greater felicity in retrieving difficult returns to score points. Often Reda, who rose to a 6-2 lead in the first game was not slackened in his approach in the next games too.

In the heart-warming second semi-final, Kemp and Ghosal playing against each other for the first time in PSA circuit but known their prowess in terms of each other’s strength had their own share of spoils. Initially in the first game, Kemp had a sizeable lead but allowed Ghosal to level the score 10-10 and then had his way of winning the extra points to lead one-zero.

With the rivals matching each other in returning every shot in squash book the tie generated great interest to a goodly Saturday crowd.

In the second, Kemp was superior both technically and otherwise and had the knack of getting the better of the top Indian player. Ghosal was also equally responding with elegant drops and power packed straight drives and lead of 7-0. But it was short lived as Kemp tightened his grips on the game and forced the Indian to commit errors.

Thus, the 29-year-old Kemp went on to level the score 10-10 and then made his younger opponent to often run from front to back for returns and Ghosal was also tiring out.

In the next two games, Kemp was at his best and in fact led 8-0 in the fourth and then remained relaxed before winning the game and the match in 58 minutes.

Results of SEMI FINAL MATCHES:

PSA Chennai Open:

Ong Beng Hee (Mas-Top Seed) bt Mohd.Ali Anwar Reda (Egy-3rd seed) 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10 (116 mins)

Jonathan Kemp (Eng-2nd seed) bt Saurav Ghosal (Ind-4th seed) 13-15, 15-13, 11-9, 11-6 (58 mins).

WISPA Chennai Open:

Jenny Duncalf (Eng-2nd seed) bt Camille Serme (Fra—6th seed) 11-6, 11-9, 11-8 (30 mins)

Nicol David (Mas-top seed) bt Kasey Brown (Aus-7th seed) 11-2, 11-4, 11-4 (23 mins).